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Related Concept Videos

Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors01:15

Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors

In the case of systematic errors, the sources can be identified, and the errors can be subsequently minimized by addressing these sources. According to the source, systematic errors can be divided into sampling, instrumental, methodological, and personal errors.
Sampling errors originate from improper sampling methods or the wrong sample population. These errors can be minimized by refining the sampling strategy. Defective instruments or faulty calibrations are the sources of instrumental...
The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic01:25

The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic

In order to make good decisions, we use our knowledge and our reasoning. Often, this knowledge and reasoning is sound and solid. However, sometimes, we are swayed by biases or by others manipulating a situation. For example, let’s say you and three friends wanted to rent a house and had a combined target budget of $1,600. The realtor shows you only very run-down houses for $1,600 and then shows you a very nice house for $2,000. Might you ask each person to pay more in rent to get the $2,000...
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Types of Errors: Detection and Minimization

Error is the deviation of the obtained result from the true, expected value or the estimated central value. Errors are expressed in absolute or relative terms.
Absolute error in a measurement is the numerical difference from the true or central value. Relative error is the ratio between absolute error and the true or central value, expressed as a percentage.
Errors can be classified by source, magnitude, and sign. There are three types of errors: systematic, random, and gross.
Systematic or...
Random and Systematic Errors01:20

Random and Systematic Errors

Scientists always try their best to record measurements with the utmost accuracy and precision. However, sometimes errors do occur. These errors can be random or systematic. Random errors are observed due to the inconsistency or fluctuation in the measurement process, or variations in the quantity itself that is being measured. Such errors fluctuate from being greater than or less than the true value in repeated measurements. Consider a scientist measuring the length of an earthworm using a...
Random and Systematic Errors01:20

Random and Systematic Errors

Scientists always try their best to record measurements with the utmost accuracy and precision. However, sometimes errors do occur. These errors can be random or systematic. Random errors are observed due to the inconsistency or fluctuation in the measurement process, or variations in the quantity itself that is being measured. Such errors fluctuate from being greater than or less than the true value in repeated measurements. Consider a scientist measuring the length of an earthworm using a...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

New Variations for Strategy Set-shifting in the Rat
09:45

New Variations for Strategy Set-shifting in the Rat

Published on: January 23, 2017

Sequential adjustments before and after partial errors.

Sonia Allain1, Boris Burle, Thierry Hasbroucq

  • 1Institut de Médecine Navale du Service de Santé des Armées, Toulon, France. allainsonia@hotmail.com

Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|March 19, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Subtle, undetected muscle activations preceding errors mirror overt errors, influencing reaction times. These findings highlight the brain's online executive control in error detection and correction.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human Performance

Background:

  • Choice reaction time tasks reveal sequential effects where performance changes based on prior trial outcomes.
  • Overt errors in reaction time tasks are associated with specific behavioral adjustments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if sub-threshold electromyographic (EMG) activations, preceding correct responses, elicit similar sequential effects as overt errors.
  • To explore the role of online executive control in detecting and correcting errors before they manifest behaviorally.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of electromyographic (EMG) data during choice reaction time tasks.
  • Comparison of reaction time adjustments following sub-threshold EMG activations versus overt errors.

Main Results:

  • Sub-threshold incorrect EMG activations produced the same sequential effects as overt errors: speeding up before and slowing down after.
  • These findings suggest that undetected EMG activations represent detected, inhibited, and corrected errors.

Conclusions:

  • Sub-threshold EMG activations serve as indicators of online error detection and correction mechanisms.
  • Executive control systems are actively engaged even when errors are not overtly expressed, demonstrating continuous monitoring and adjustment.